Ferrari shines in Hungary’s opening practice session, but Max Verstappen isn’t far behind.
- Carlos Sainz set the fastest time on soft tires, leading the practice.
- Max Verstappen, on used softs, was just three-tenths behind, showcasing impressive speed.
- McLaren had a rocky start, with Oscar Piastri facing mechanical issues and Lando Norris sliding off track.
- Ferrari eventually dominated as both Sainz and Charles Leclerc clocked top times.
The Hungarian Grand Prix kicked off under the sunny skies of the Hungaroring. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz stole the spotlight, setting the fastest time in the opening practice on soft tires. However, Max Verstappen wasn’t far behind, trailing by just three-tenths of a second on used softs, a clear sign that he’s a force to reckon with.
Max Verstappen utilized a fresh upgrade to his RB20 and set early fast times, even on medium tires. Meanwhile, most other drivers opted for the hard compound. Ferrari, initially on hards, showed their strategy was different. However, McLaren faced challenges. Oscar Piastri’s car had mechanical issues, leaving him in the garage for a good portion of the session. Lando Norris, on the other hand, had a slide through the penultimate corner, adding to McLaren’s woes.
During the session, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez tested aero rakes as part of a significant upgrade package. Teams like Sauber also had their share of challenges, working on upgrades and fixing technical problems. Kevin Magnussen of Haas, announced to leave the team at the end of the season, was not in the best spirits, complaining about his brakes despite finding his seat comfortable.
As the session progressed, lap times began to increase. Williams’ Alex Albon briefly held the fastest lap on soft tires, but George Russell soon eclipsed it by six-tenths in his Mercedes. Ferrari, still using hard tires, hoped to bounce back from previous setbacks at Barcelona.
A brief Virtual Safety Car period due to Albon’s Williams shedding bodywork over a curb momentarily halted the session. Once resumed, Ferrari switched to soft tires, leading to Charles Leclerc setting a provisional fastest lap. In no time, Sainz outpaced him, reinforcing Ferrari’s dominant position.
Towards the end, Verstappen showed he wasn’t done yet. Closing in on Sainz’s time with used tires, he highlighted his potential threat for the race. The final minutes were filled with a mix of drivers pushing the limits and dealing with traffic, like George Russell’s tussle with Esteban Ocon. By the end of the session, Sainz topped the charts but Verstappen’s impressive runs on old rubber kept everyone’s eyes on him.
Carlos Sainz ruled the opening practice, but Max Verstappen’s pace on used softs remains the highlight.
Source: Planetf1
